Swimming pool modular construction

ABSTRACT

A swimming pool having sidewalls constructed from a series of prefabricated modular panels connected together to enclose the interior of the pool. Each panel comprises a sheet of relatively rigid material. The panel may be provided with flanged ends, top and bottom flanges, and vertical struts spaced horizontally, to impart strength to the sheet. Each panel is provided with at least one brace preferably formed from tubular stock. The brace which preferably has a shape of a figure &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;8&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; may be detachably secured or hingedly attached to the panel wall. The brace may be advantageously nested parallel to and contiguous to the panel wall for shipping and, when secured to the panel, can be rotated 90* when erected in position at the pool site. The figure 8shaped braces formed from a single length of material or formed of two or more segments is advantageously designed to have a straight horizontal top segment upon which a deck is mounted, and a short straight segment on one side of each of the upper and lower loops of the figure 8-shape for attaching hinges or other securing means. The lower loop of the figure 8 is adapted to have a projecting or pointed end, opposite the hinge side, formed by the ends of the tubular stock such that it can be suitably secured to the ground or to a footing. These braces are arranged in spaced relation on the panels so that when several panels are erected they are equally spaced around the pool.

United States Patent 1 Witte Sept. 23, 1975 1 SWIMMING POOL MODULARCONSTRUCTION Donald H. Witte, York, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Fox Pool Corporation, York, Pa.

[22] Filed: Aug. 7, 1973 [21] Appl. No: 386,393

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 52/152; 52/169; 248/351 [51] Int. Cl. 1. E0411 12/20 [58]Field of Search 52/169, 127, 645, 146,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 802.822 10/1905 Olmstead248/463 Primary ExaminerHenry C. Sutherland Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Arthur J. Plantamura [57] ABSTRACT A swimming pool having sidewallsconstructed from a series of prefabricated modular panels connected together to enclose the interior of the pool. Each panel comprises a sheetof relatively rigid material, The panel may be provided with flangedends, top and bottom flanges, and vertical struts spaced horizontally,to impart strength to the sheet. Each panel is provided with at leastone brace preferably formed from tubular stock. The brace whichpreferably has a shape of a figure 8" may be detachably secured orhingedly attached to the panel wall. The brace may be advantageouslynested parallel to and contiguous to the panel wall for shipping and,when secured to the panel, can be rotated 90 when erected in position atthe pool site. The figure 8-shaped braces formed from a single lengthofmaterial or formed of two or more segments is advantageously designed tohave a straight horizontal top segment upon which a deck is mounted, anda short straight segment on one side of each of the upper and lowerloops of thefigure 8-shape for attaching hinges or other securing means.The lower loop of the figure 8 is adapted to have a projecting orpointed end, opposite the hinge side, formed by the ends of the tubularstock such that it can be suitably secured to the ground or to afooting. These braces are arranged in spaced relation on the panels sothat when several panels are erected they are equally spaced around thepool.

7 Claims, 25 Drawing Figures US Patent Sept Sheet 1 0f 4 US Patent Sept.23,1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,906,688

47 F l G. 3 |7A Fl.4 F.5

'JJJAIJ'IIJI n 1115717114 "III.

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,906,682;

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 4 Of4 3,906,688

FIG. 3A 82 FIG. 17B

SWIMMING POOL MODULAR CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Theinstant invention is directed to a modular panel design for sidewalls ofa swimming pool which, excepting the coping and deck, incorporates allthe components required to erect a swimming pool having the necessarywall rigidity and strength.

Prior art construction arrangements, while designed to ultimatelyaccomplish the desired result, are cum bcrsome and expensive due to thenecessary fittings or accessories required in the installation. Theseaccessories must be assembled at the site, an operation which entailsconsiderable time and cost because the labor involved is relativelycostly since semi-skilled mechanics are needed, all of whichconsequently leads to a relatively higher installation expense.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is directed to amodular design of sidewall panels for swimming pools which can beprefabricated at the factory with substantially all accessories orfittings attached and, upon arrival at the pool site, can be erectedwith the least amount of supervi sion, with minimal assembly of separateparts, and with little if any reference to installation instructions,etc., thus greatly reducing the amount of time required forinstallation.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide amodular swimming pool sidewall unit with accessories including braceswhich support the sidewall and may also be conveniently used to supportthe deck.

Another object is to substantially simplify installation procedures forswimming pools by providing a modular sidewall unit requiring only asimply rearrangement of the braces which are associated, and shipped inplace, with the side wall, in order to support the sidewall and deck ofthe pool.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a swimming poolmodular unit which substantially minimizes site installation costs.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from thedescription provided when considered in conjunction with the severalviews of the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of atypical swimming pool partially broken away to show a FIG. 8 bracemember.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view from the outside of the pool showingone embodiment of the invention comprising a panel with three braces andfragments of adjacent abutting panels.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A is fragmentary sectional view showing a coping arrangement whichis an alternate to that shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6.

FIG. 4 is a sectional fragmentary view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3illustrating the cross-over point of the brace.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing an alternate arrangementat the brace cross-over point.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the coping and part of the deckshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the abutting areaof adjoining panels.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing analternate footing.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing another alternativemounting utilizing a footing plate.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the outside of a panel assemblyembodiment of the kind shown in FIG. 2 and 5 equipped with three nestedbraces, ready for shipping.

FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of FIG. I0 taken along line llll ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line I2I2 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line I3l3 of FIG. 10.

FIG. I4 is a sectional view taken along line l4-I4 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a view taken along line l5l5 of FIG. I0.

FIG. 16 is an elevational view of an alternate hinge which elevates thebrace when it is pivoted into bracing position.

FIG. I7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the prefabricated deck asillustrated in FIG. 2 showing the method of attaching.

FIG. 17A is a sectional view taken along line I7AI7A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 17B is a view similar to FIG. 17A showing an alternate deckstructure in which the deck member is secured to the brace by clipmembers.

FIG. 18 is an elevational view of a brace having a form alternative tothat depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 18A is an enlarged view of the intermediate portion of the bracestructure of FIG. 18.

FIG. 19A is an elevational view of the upper loop of an alternate designof brace. FIG. 19B is an elevational view of the lower loop of thealternate design of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20 is an elevational view, similar to FIG. I0, of an alternateembodiment wherein each of the adjacent panel modules which form thepool wall is equipped with one brace.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention will be describedin conjunction with a below-ground outdoor swimming pool which is thepreferred embodiment, but it will be understood that the advantageousfeatures of the invention are not limited to this type. Indeed, theseveral features of the invention, with such modifications as would beapparent to one skilled in the art, may be used with advantage in aboveground or in partly submerged swimming pool installations and/or with orwithout pool wall liners.

Referring to FIG. 1, a pool, generally indicated at 10 is shown. Aflexible plastic liner 12 of conventional material and structure isillustrated covering the interior surfaces of the pool; the liner issuitably attached to the top edge of the side walls 14 as will bedescribed in more detail below. It will be understood, howeventhat theliner I2 is optional and other means such as caulking may be used toprovide watertight integrity. The side walls I4 are formed by aplurality of prefabricated panels generally indicated I6. Each panelcomprises a sheet 18 of substantially rigid material which may be metal,plastic, wood, pressed board etc., and may be treated to providecorrosion or other decomposition resistance, such as by galvanizing orcoating, before or after installation, or by employing an inherentlyresistant material, e.g. stainless steel sheeting. End flanges 20 areformed integral with the sheet 18 and perform a dual function: First,the flanges provide abutting areas for joining adjacent panels 16 asbest shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, and II; any suitable fastening means can beused such as bolts 21 which are received in holes 22 in the end flanges20. Secondly, the flanges impart greater rigidity to the wall sections.The sheet 18 is also preferably formed so as to have a bottom flange 24(sec FIG. 3) which lends still additional rigidity and lends bettersupport for the panel against sinking into the ground. The toplongitudinal edge of the pool 18 is formed as a channel cross sectionalso enhances the rigidity of the panel.

Additional stiffening and strengthening of the panel may be accomplishedby attaching or integrally forming in the central area thereof twospaced vertically p sitioned struts 28. It will be noted that althoughno special support is provided at the ends of each panel when the twoend flanges are abutted and fastened together as illustrated in FIGS. 2and 7, the resultant structure at the junction of two panels is at leastas strong as one of the struts 28 so that no additional buttressing isrequired at the ends of the sheets 18. Preferably, the struts 28 extendsubstantially the full height of the panel as best shown in FIG. 10.

Each panel 16 is provided with one or more braces 30 which are suitablypositioned and spaced on the panel. For example, as shown in theembodiment of FIG. 10, a relatively wide panel is illustrated and provided with a brace at relatively close intervals, i.e. at distancessubstantially equal to the width of the nested brace. However, suchbraces may be spaced at relatively greater intervals, such as byomitting the center brace in FIG. 10 or by making the brace module ofFIG. 10 into three separate modules having a single brace per module.When installed to form the pool wall, the braces extend in the verticalplane perpendicular to the place of the panel to which they are attachedat one side. At the other side, the brace 30 is secured in aconventional manner such as in poured footings 32 to retain the panelagainst movement relative to the ground. Each of the braces 30 may beadvantageously constructed from tubular metal stock which is formed intoa particular shape to accommodate adjacent structures in a supportingmanner. The resultant formed brace comprises an upper loop A and a lowerloop B substantially resembling a numeral 8 as shown, for example, inFIGS. 3, I8 and 19A and 198, when assembled. The brace hereafter will bereferred to as having a FIG. 8 shape although this description is aconvenient reference rather than connoting a restrictive configuration.The upper loop A of the 8-shaped brace 30 (FIG. 3) is preferablyconstructed with a straight vertical section 33 to facilitate attachmentto the outside wall of the panel 16 and preferably a straight topsection 34 to provide a relatively longer support surface for a deck(FIGS. 2 and 3). The tubular stock is preferably en gaged at the centercross-over point such as by crimping the tube at the intermediatecrossing point 35, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, from which it spreadsout to form the lower loop B which at one side. as in loop A preferablyhas a straight vertical section 36 which is in-Iine beneath the section33 of loop A to be used to facilitate attachment to the outside wall ofthe panel. At the other side of the lower loop B, the brace is formedinto a suitable configuration to facilitate an choring of the brace tothe background such as by converging the terminal portions 30a and 30bof the tubu lar stock at 37. These ends, 30a and 30b, may be flattenedor otherwise contoured and. for example, provided with a hole 38 (FIG.15) for attaching to a footing which may be poured in situ concrete asat 32 in FIG. 3 or prefabricated anchor blocks 76 as in FIG. 8 oralternate securing means such as the anchor plate 36 as shown in FIG. 9may be used.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the brace is secured at its outer lowerextremity 37 by means of a fastener 66 which passes through the braceand is embedded in the footing 32. In FIG. 8, the brace is secured inthe precast block 76 such as by a lag bolt 79 passed through the braceend and threaded into a lead plug inserted in the concrete. A secondbolt 78 may optionally be employed to secure the bottom of panel 18. InFIG. 9, the terminal portions 30a and 30b of the brace are attached by asuitable fastener 66 to an earlike extension 67 formed on the anchorplate 68. The plate 68 is secured in position in the ground with stakes69 passing through holes 68a in the plate which is then further sccuredby earth back fill.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 18A the brace 30 may be constructed in twopieces, an upper loop A and a lower loop B. Instead of crossing as inthe brace 30 described above, the terminal portions of both loops end atthe intermediate point 35' of the FIG. 8 brace. The terminal portions48a of loop A are flattened and bent to face each other and the terminalportions 49a and 49b are similarly formed and each provided with a holeto receive securing element such as a bolt 44 to form the complete brace30'.

Still another modification of a two-piece brace 30 is illustrated inFIGS. 19A and B wherein an upper loop A" (FIG. 19A) includes terminalportions 48a and 48b which are flattened and provided with openings SIfor fastening it to the lower loop B" (FIG. 198) which similarlyincludes flattened terminal portions 490' and 49b provided with openings51a. The distinguishing feature of this modification being that theflattened portions are not bent, i.e. to form an angle at the connectingpoint (as in FIG. 18A), but are pressed together to align the holes 51and 51a and securing element such as a bolt (not shown) inserted tofasten the upper loop to the lower loop, forming the complete brace.

The salient features of the brace 30 are retained in both alternatestructures of FIGS. 18 and 19 viz; the hinge attaching sections 33 and36 and the horizontal deck supporting section 34. Additionally, one sideof the lower loops A' and A" is formed with a flattened area andprovided with a suitable means for attaching to a footing 81 (FIG. 19A)similar to that shown in FIGS. 3, 8 or 9.

It will be apparent that while the brace of FIG. I8 is shown as twopieces joined at the center, essentially the same configuration may beformed from a single piece. When thus formed, the central or cross-overpoint at 35' resembles an hour-glass, i.e. the tubular members are benttoward each other at the center but do not cross. If desired, thiscentral point of the two sides of the FIG. 8 configuration may then befastened together such as by inserting a bolt. Also, when so formed, theanchor point 80 would comprise separate converging ends similar to 30aand 30b as shown in FIGS. 8 or 9. The arrangement of the brace isdesigned so that the sections 33 and 36 described above provides aconvenient means for securing the brace to the sidewall 18 such as by ahinge-type attachment in a manner preferably such that the braces 30 canbe nested against the sidewall 18 as shown in FIG. for shipment andthereafter, upon positioning at the installation site, rotating thebrace into the pool wall bracing position as seen in FIG. 3. Anysuitable means can be employed to secure the brace to the panel. Forpurposes of illustration, a simple strap 46 is used which may be securedin any convenient manner to the panel to form a sleeve (FIGS. l2 and 13)to receive the sections 33 and 36 for rotational movement therein.Various alternate fastening means such as hinges or other securingdevices may be employed also. The strap 46 can be similarly attached tothe strut 28 and wall 18 as seen in FIG. 13. The strap 46 or othersecuring device in each instance is preferably designed so as to beshorter than the straight sections 33 and 36 in order to allow verticalpositioning of the brace relative to the panel when the brace 30 is rotated perpendicular to the wall 18 from its nested position against thewall 18. In the support position the upper horizontal section 34 of thebrace 30.is situated below the top edge 26 of the sheet 18, to providesupport for a deck 40 on brace segment 34.

It will be understood that in using a sleeve type hinge arrangement ofthe kind described above, the vertical positioning and locking of thebrace 30 in the bracing position is dependent upon manipulation by themechanic erecting the panel. If desired, an alternate type of hinge canbe employed which automatically raises the brace as it is rotated intothe brace position. A hinge of this type is illustrated, for example, inFIG. 16. The device shown comprises a sleeve 50 having flanges 52 whichis suitably secured such as by rivets 54 to the sidewall 18 and panelflange 20. The sleeve 50 receives section 33 of the brace 30. The sleeve50 is provided with a cam slot 58 which receives a pin 60 projectingfrom section 33 of the rotatable brace 30. As the brace rotates, the pin60 follows the slot 58 to move the brace 30 longitudinally relative tothe sleeve 50.

The positioning of the deck 40 above the top edge 26 of the wall panelpermits the use of a coping 47 to produce a smooth transition from thesidewall to the deck (FIG. 6).

The coping 47 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6 is prefabricated from anysuitable material such as metal, e.g. aluminum, or plastic. A slot 41 isdesigned for mounting the coping on the top edge 64 of the panel 18 forholding it in position while the concrete deck 40' is being pouredaround the upper horizontal element 34 of the brace and into the coping.The edge 64 may be an integral part of the panel 18 or may be suitablysecured to the top of the panel 18 as illustrated in FIG. 14. Suitablemeans for attaching the liner are provided in the coping such as agroove 45 into which the liner bead 12a is inserted.

It is understood that, while for purposes of illustration. a liner isshown, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the use ofa liner. An arrangement having a poured concrete pool bottom withoutliner may be used. Furthermore, an arrangement in which a partial linerwhich covers only the floor, or the floor and only part of the verticalwall area, may be used. In cases where a liner is not used or only apartial liner is used, suitable means for sealing the walls such ascaulking is employed.

An alternate coping to the structure illustrated in FIG. 6 is shown as82 in FIG. 3A. Coping 82 is prefabricated from a suitable rigid materialas plastic or metal such as aluminum. This coping is preferably designedto overhang the sidewall of the pool at 83 and, as shown, as suitablesecuring means is provided with two spaced depending ribs 84 which snapinto suitable mating tracks 86 formed in a track member 88. The trackmember 88 can be of any suitable rustproof material such as asubstantially rigid plastic and is suitably anchored to the deck 40 byappropriate means such as holddown plate 90 secured with lag bolts 92. Agrooved opening 94 integrally formed in the track member 88 is alsoprovided for inserting the bead 12a of a flexible pool liner. The copingis placed over the upper edge of the wall panels and its free end (47 inFIG. 6 and 83 in FIG. 3A) is arranged to overhang the pool wall and,where a liner is employed, to overhang also the securing opening intowhich the head of the pool liner is inserted.

The pool deck may be preformed or cast in situ. As shown in FIG. 17, thedeck 40 is illustrated as formed from pre-cast concrete sections havingoverlapping ends 40a and 40b and provided with holes to receive aflathead tie bolt 43, which also passes through holes 34a in the brace30, for securing the deck upon the top section 34 of the brace 30.Alternatively, the deck may be formed by concrete poured in situ and, asshown in FIG. 6, the concrete secures in place, into an integralstructure, the brace, wall and coping. An alternative means for securinga preformed deck to the brace 34 is shown in FIG. 178 wherein clips 98which are formed on or otherwise attached to the prefabricated deck 96are used to secure the deck in place around a part or all of the poolperiphery.

It will be understood that the deck may be constructed in any suitablemanner in addition to that illustrated such as by casting in place, orit may be of wooden planking, plastic composition, metal, and the likeor a combination of these techniques.

It will be noted that the brace of the invention contemplates a varietyof junctures at the center of the brace. Section 35 of the FIG. 8 shapedbrace 30 (FIG. 4) allows the tubular stock to be crossed with a minimumoffset, i.e. the brace is substantially confined to a vertical planethereby producing a stronger brace. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the tubecan also be offset as at 42 and is shown secured by a bolt 44. Hereagain the bolt 44 may be omitted without substantially detracting fromthe strength of the brace. FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 on the other hand utilizea two piece brace which is secured at the center.

In operation, each panel module 16 is prefabricated at the factoryhaving suitable predetermined sizes such as a longitudinal or widthdimension C in the order of 8 feet and a height dimension D of 3 /2 feetfor the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10. A panel of these dimensionslends itself readily to constructing a 16 foot by 32 foot pool or a 16foot by 40 foot pool, etc. However. it will be apparent that a wallmodule of any convenient size, such as a panel one-third the width of Cof FIG. 10 (or any intermediate width) and provided with one brace foreach panel may be formed. Also, as shown in FIG. 20, a panel 100 of anysuitable width may be fabricated in which a single brace 30 is pivotallyattached at 46 on the panel wall panel 100.

The required number of prefabricated panels, with braces nested againstthe panel, for the pool size selected are shipped to a construction siteand erected by positioning each panel in place and rotating each braceapproximately 90 and the lower outside portion of the brace is suitablyanchored. Adjoining panels are similarly erected in place and attachedat each side to the adjoining panels to complete the pool walls. Thedeck 40 is then formed of either poured concrete or by use ofprefabricated segments and secured on the upper sections 34 of thebraces 30. A flexible water impermeable liner is generally utilized andis placed within the interior surfaces of the pool and secured along itsedges beneath the coping 47 as described above. However. a liner of thiskind is not a limiting element in the inven tion and various other meansto assure water tight integrity of the pool may be used. Earth backfilling is then used to complete the pool surroundings.

The invention has been described in relation to particular embodimentsutilized to illustrate the invention. it is understood. however, thatvarious modifications may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the inventive contribution. Accordingly, the invention isnot to be restricted in scope except by the limitations expressed in theclaims which follow.

I claim:

I. A swimming pool modular wall member compris ing in combination:

A. a substantially rectangular sidewall panel, said panel being providedat each end with means permitting said panel to be joined with anadjacent sidewall panel in forming a swimming pool wall, said panelbeing provided with hinge means on one side thereof securing at leastone brace element to the outside of said panel, and

B. a brace member on said side of said panel, said brace member,comprising an upper loop and a lower loop in coplanar relationship, thetwo loops defining in plan a brace of generally figureeightconfiguration which is pivotally attached. by coaxial linear segments ofthe loops on the same side thereof to said hinge means on said sidewallpanel, said brace member being nested in generally parallel relationcontiguous to said panel side for shipping and adapted to be pivotallyextended to [in use) substantially perpendicular relationship with thepanel when in use to afford external bracing support for said panelagainst outward pressure exerted against the side of side panel oppositesaid brace member.

2. The brace of claim 1 wherein said upper loop in cludes an integralflat segment at the top which is adapted to support a pool deck.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said hinge means includes meansfor elevating said brace relative to said panel member when said braceis pivoted from a nested position to the extended panel member supporting position.

4. The modular swimming pool sidewall member of claim 1 provided with aplurality of said sidewall brace members.

5. The modular swimming pool sidewall member of claim 1 equipped withthree braces. the first of said braces positioned contiguous to one endof said panel member and the second and third being spaced there from atincremental distances of one-third and two thirds respectively of thelength of said panel.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said brace member is formed from asingle length of tubular stock which is secured at the cross-over pointbetween the upper and lower loops of the figure eight.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said said brace member comprisesseparate upper and lower loops which are secured at the cross-overpoint.

1. A swimming pool modular wall member comprising in combination: A. asubstantially rectangular sidewall panel, said panel being provided ateach end with means permitting said panel to be joined with an adjacentsidewall panel in forming a swimming pool wall, said panel beingprovided with hinge means on one side thereof securing at least onebrace element to the outside of said panel, and B. a brace member onsaid side of said panel, said brace member, comprising an upper loop anda lower loop in coplanar relationship, the two loops defining in plan abrace of generally figure-eight configuration which is pivotallyattached, by coaxial linear segments of the loops on the same sidethereof to said hinge means on said sidewall panel, said brace memberbeing nested in generally parallel relation contiguous to said panelside for shipping and adapted to be pivotally extended to (in use)substantially perpendicular relationship with the panel when in use toafford external bracing support for said panel against outward pressureexerted against the side of side panel opposite said brace member. 2.The brace of claim 1 wherein said upper loop includes an integral flatsegment at the top which is adapted to support a pool deck.
 3. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said hinge means includes means forelevating said brace relative to said panel member when said brace ispivoted from a nested position to the extended panel member supportingposition.
 4. The modular swimming pool sidewall member of claim 1provided with a plurality of said sidewall brace members.
 5. The modularswimming pool sidewall member of claim 1 equipped with three braces, thefirst of said braces positioned contiguous to one end of said panelmember and the second and third being spaced therefrom at incrementaldistances of one-third and two-thirds respectively of the length of saidpanel.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said brace member is formedfrom a single length of tubular stock which is secured at the cross-overpoint between the upper and lower loops of the figure eight.
 7. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said said brace member comprises separateupper and lower loops which are secured at the cross-over point.